WEST DES MOINES, Iowa – July 10, 2010 – The Des Moines Menace received goals from seven different players, en route to a 7-2 exhibition win over the Minnesota Twinstars tonight at Valley Stadium.

Des Moines took a 4-0 lead into the locker room after first-half goals from Stephen Okai, Kenan Malicevic, Clark Bradford and Sterling Copeland. Husref Jupic, Kyle Cumings and Adam Morris got into the act in the second half.

“We needed to get some goals and put on a proper show for the fans,” said Copeland, who found the back of the net for the first time this season. “Everyone’s excited, (and) it’s thrilling; I’m just glad to contribute.”

Tonight’s game was a break from Premier Development League action for the Menace, so the stats do not count toward the team’s records. The franchise record for most goal scorers in a PDL game was set on July 13, 2007, when six Menace players notched goals in an 8-0 win over Springfield.

Laurie Calloway’s squad (5-3-6) has two more chances to pick up points to keep its playoff hopes alive. The team hosts Kansas City and St. Louis each of the next two Saturdays.

While Thunder Bay (10-1-1) has all but wrapped up the Heartland Division title, one postseason berth remains for the division’s other three contenders. The Menace’s playoff chances are vanquished if Real Colorado (7-2-5) or Rochester (7-2-3) wins one more contest.

“I wish it would have come earlier in the season,” Copeland said of the goal-scoring onslaught. “One thing we haven’t done this season is score goals. Hope it is a sign to come for the last two games.”

While the Menace has outscored PDL foes 22-21, the team has scored more than two goals in a match just twice this season. Des Moines’ low point came on June 18 when the Menace was on the opposite side of a 7-2 score at Thunder Bay.

The Twinstars (4-2-2) took a break from their National Premier Soccer League season for the teams’ first meeting. Like the Menace, they also have two remaining regular-season matches. Youssef Darbaki’s side got on the board in tonight’s second half, thanks to goals from Isaac Kannah and Adama Diawara.

TWO MORE HOME GAMES: The Menace closes the regular season with home games on July 17 and 24. Next Saturday’s match against Kansas City is Susan G. Komen Night, presented by the Principal Financial Group. The team will donate $2 from every ticket sale to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, to fight against breast cancer.

The season finale against St. Louis on July 24 is Fan Appreciation Night, presented by Frito Lay. Fans are encouraged to help us “Paint the Stadium Red.” All fans wearing a red shirt will receive admission for $5.

Match: Minnesota Twinstars at Des Moines Menace
Date: July 10, 2010
Competition: Exhibition match
Venue: Valley Stadium in West Des Moines, Iowa
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. CDT
Attendance: 3,429
Weather: 80s


Scoring Summary:     1   2   F
MENACE                       4   3   7
MIN                              0   2    2

MENACE – Stephen Okai 5:00; Kenan Malicevic (Logan McDaniel) 31:00; Clark Bradford 36:00; Sterling Copeland (Jubril Lawal) 45:00; Husref Jupic (Sterling Copeland) 51:00; Kyle Cumings (Jacob Schmoker) 74:00; Adam Morris 90:00
MIN– Isaac Kannah (Phong Vang) 71:00; Adama Diawara 85:00

Stats Summary: MENACE / MIN
Shots: 34 / 21
Saves: 9 / 6
Corner Kicks: 5 / 2
Fouls: 10 / 17
Offside: 1 / 2

Misconduct Summary: MENACE Yellow Cards: Lebogang Moloto 37:00; Stephen Baker 57:00; Jordan Stanley 67:00; MIN Yellow Card: Kamil Solarin 18:00; Phong Vang 67:00; Isaac Kannah 72:00